Bobcats top Southwestern, 44-21

Peru State rushed for 280 yards and held Southwestern to 46 rush yards on the way to a 44-21 win in the inaugural Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference versus Heart of America Athletic Conference Football Classic at Winfield, Kan. on Saturday.

Peru State rushed for 280 yards and held Southwestern to 46 rush yards on the way to a 44-21 win in the inaugural Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference versus Heart of America Athletic Conference Football Classic at Winfield, Kan. on Saturday.

With the win, the Bobcats moved their season record to 2-0. This is the first time since 2000 that the Bobcats have begun the season with back-to-back victories.

Southwestern fell to 1-1 with the loss.

The key quarters of the Saturday game were the second and third, where Peru State racked up a 28-7 advantage.

Offensive leaders for Peru State were Prescott Valley, Ariz. quarterback Tyler Audsley, who rushed for 95 yards on 17 attempts and scored three touchdowns, and Liberal, Mo. grad Ethan Bray, who finished with 88 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Passing wise, Audsley was 13-of-19 for 165 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Receiving leaders were J.D. Faxon of Odell, six catches for 39 yards; Nate Tromblee of Lincoln, three catches for 81 yards and one touchdown; and Lance Steffen of Murdock, three catches for 36 yards.

Defensive leaders were Curtis Larsen of Plattsmouth, nine tackles, a sack and two tackles for a loss; Briar Burr of Wood River, eight tackles; and Garret Campbell of Santee, Calif. and Jon Draeger of Syracuse, each with seven tackles.

Campbell's special team's paly was also a highlight for the Bobcats. His two kickoff returns totaled 103 yards and gave Peru State outstanding starting field position each time.

Campbell was named the player of the game for his efforts in kick returning and on defense.

Peru State returns to action at 2 p.m. Saturday at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. This will be the first Heart of America Athletic Conference match up of the year for both teams. The YellowJackets are 1-1 with a win over Mayville State University and a loss to McPherson College.